George County standout ‘creates havoc’ in Mississippi-Alabama game, named MVP
McKinnley Jackson did an impromptu postgame dance on the Southern Miss logo at the center of the field at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
And why not? The George County star defensive tackle, and his Mississippi All-Star teammates, had plenty to celebrate after Mississippi came from behind in overtime Saturday to defeat Alabama 17-16 in the 33rd annual Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game.
The victory was the third in a row for Mississippi and the fourth win in the past five games in the series. The Magnolia State clinched the victory when Wayne County’s Armondous Cooley blocked a PAT kick that would have sent the game to a second overtime.
“I’m just so proud of these guys,” said Mississippi head coach Brad Breland of Union. “They kept fighting back, and we made some big defensive plays that kept us in the game.
“The guys didn’t get discouraged when we were down 10-0 after three quarters, and we finally made some plays down the stretch.”
It was entirely fitting that a defensive play decided the outcome, because it was a defensive struggle for both sides, and, thus, it was entirely fitting that Jackson would be named the Bubba Davis Most Valuable Player for Mississippi.
“My mentality is just to get into the backfield, create havoc and help my team win,” said Jackson. “(In overtime) we cranked it up to another gear to try to get the stop. We blocked (kicks) in this game, and that came up clutch. Maybe I’ll play on special teams next year.”
Next year, though, requires a big decision for the big guy from Lucedale. Jackson is the top-rated player in the state by almost every recruiting service and the list of college teams vying for his services reads like a roll call of Power 5 elites.
Jackson came into this week of All-Star practices holding offers from Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M, and on Thursday, it was reported that he had received an offer from Georgia, which recently hired former Ole Miss coach Matt Luke as an assistant.
“I can talk to Coach Luke about anything, on or off the field,” said Jackson. “We’ve established a good vibe. But I’m going to take my visits next month, then talk to God and ask Him to guide me in my decision.”
George County coach Matt Caldwell said he has no clue which way Jackson is leaning, and he’s leaving the decision entirely up to his star.
“He’d be a heck of a poker player,” said Caldwell. “He’s keeping it pretty close to the vest. I honestly have no idea which way he’s leaning, and we don’t push it with him.”
Jackson is listed at 6-foot-3 and 335 pounds, but his speed and quickness are those of a player 100 pounds lighter. In fact, he lined up offense on several plays that featured the jumbo package.
“He’s got a motor that is unmatched in 24 years I’ve been coaching,” said Caldwell. “Of course, he’s got everything athletically you need, but his desire, his work ethic is second to none.
“His first step is as quick as any D-lineman I’ve ever seen, his hands are really powerful, and he plays the game the right way. He’s the total package.”
For his three-year career at George County, Jackson had 248 tackles (105 for loss), 31½ sacks, 11 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries and a safety.
Breland came away from the week of workouts and Saturday’s game a believer in Jackson’s ability.
“He was as advertised,” said Breland. “No doubt. He got Mr. Football in 6A, and he’s very deserving of that. He’s a great guy and he’s got a great personality, but when it gets down on the field, he’s 100 percent.”
Jackson’s statistics Saturday weren’t eye-popping — three tackles, including two solos, and a half-tackle for loss – but stats don’t tell the story of how thoroughly he dominated the line of scrimmage.
Jackson lined up all over the interior of the defensive line, usually occupying two blockers, and still spent most of the afternoon in the Alabama backfield.
“I try to be the best player on the field,” said Jackson. “I don’t want to be second-best. I want to try to be a player that’s known.
Jackson keyed the Mississippi defense that bent some but didn’t break. Alabama scored a touchdown on the opening series of the game, then did not score another TD until overtime.
Three times in the second half, Alabama drove inside the Mississippi 10-yard-line and only came away with one field goal. Alabama missed one field goal attempt and the other — with 42 seconds remaining in regulation — was blocked by Olive Branch’s Javon Banks.
Mississippi finally got on the scoreboard on the first play of the fourth quarter, when Northwest Rankin’s Gavin Gaudin kicked a 31-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 10-3.
Mississippi tied it up when Brandon quarterback Will Rogers converted a fourth-and-4 from the Alabama 12 for a touchdown pass to Trip Wilson of Tupelo, followed by Gaudin’s PAT.
In overtime, Rogers passed for a 6-yard touchdown pass to South Panola’s Janari Dean, and Gaudin’s PAT was good.
Alabama needed just two plays to get into the end zone, but Jackson led the push from the interior of the line, and Cooley knocked the ball awry, sending the Mississippi players into a raucous celebration.
“We’ve kind of leveled the playing field, won four of the last five,” said Breland. “Hopefully we can keep this thing going.”
D’Iberville wide receiver Jaden Walley also played for the Mississippi squad, and he was the leading receiver on the team, catching four passes for 27 yards. He has committed to Mississippi State and plans to sign Wednesday with the Bulldogs.
This story was originally published December 14, 2019 at 5:36 PM.